Athletic supporter



3, 19.42- F. H. MONTMARQUET 2,301,066

ATHLETIC SUPPORTER Filed June 19, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

. Fem 0s A MO/YTMA/PQUET ,4 TTORNEY Q 1942- F. \H. MONTMARQUET 2,301,055

ATHLETIC SUPPORTER Filed Juna 19, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 11v VENTOR fieA/vc/s MONT/W4 4 057 Patented Nov. 3, 1942 2,301,066 arm'rrc surron'rsa Francis 11. Montmarquet, Little ma, N. J. application June 19, 1942, serial No. 447,65:

12 Claims.

This invention relates to an athletic supporter generally referred to as a Jock strap, More particularly, my invention relates to the novel interrelationship of belt and sack elements of an athletic supporter.

My invention is directed to a jock strap construction or athletic supporter comprising a sack portion, a belt portion and leg straps in which the elements are combined in order to secure maximum comfort and proper support during violent exercise, while eifecting the greatest amount of economy in respect of the materials entering into the combination.

In suspensory bandages or supports known to me, efforts have been made to provide comfort in attaching the sack to the supporting belt by suspending elements following generally the line of the groin. These devices being intended primarily to alleviate a distressed condition, were not designed for protection during violent exercise. Endeavors to accommodate such a device as known to me with anguiarly directed groin conforming supports involved intricate braces and straps which introduced elements of cost with regard to workmanship and materials. 7

In the production of relatively inexpensive athletic supporters or jock straps involving webbing constituting thebelt and a pouch portion of fabric of knittedelastic material, or constructions intended to support a protective cup, resort to elastic webbing of from two to three inches in width embraced such material sections of the body as to be readily displaced, required constant attention during violent exercise, to re-position the pouch which the belt portion suspends, and which becomes displaced in exercise. The characteristic gesture to accomplish this replacement is well known.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide an athletic supporter in which a pouch member is supported by a relatively wide webbing and in which comfort and protection are provided, without displacement during exercising. Further objects of my invention reside in the provision of an athletic supporter or jock strap made of relatively wide webbing, in which the pouch member is supported without any tendency to "creep or be displaced, with a consequent discomfort in the crotch, and without any tendency of the pouch member to collapse and bind within the crotch, assuring an envelopment of the organs with proper support, avoidance of accidental displacement, while retaining simplification of construction and materials, to effect great economies in workmanship and materials.

To attain these objefifind such further ob- 'Z Jects as may appear herein or be hereinafter; pointed out, I make reference to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, in which- Figure l is a perspective viewof my invention illustrated in the form in which, it might appear on the torso of a wearer; Figure 2 is a magnified plan view thereof, with .the parts flattened out to show the relative arrangements; l

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the belt webbing entering into the construction of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of my invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the embodiment of Figure 4 upon the torso of awearer;

Figure 8 is a plan view of a still further embodiment ofmy invention;

Figure 7 is a plan view of a still further embodiment of my invention;

' Figure 8 is a plan view of an embodiment of my lnventioncomprising a combined suspensory and jock strap;

v Figure 9 is a plan view illustrating my invention in the fqrm of an. athletic supporter and protective cup holder;

Figure 10 is a section taken on the line Ill-Ill of Figure 9.

Making reference to the drawings, I have illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, a jock strap In comprising a belt portion ll, preferably made of a relatively wide webbing of elastic fabric approximately three inches in width in the quiescent state, with the elastic threads or cords in the warp direction. This is well known webbing material wherein elastic warp threads appear closer together adjacent the selvage than along the medial line of the webbing. The appearance of this fabric is the same on both sides. I With a length of this webbing material thu provided, I form an angular or mitre fold l2 adjacent the mid portion thereof, forming branches I! and I4, angularly directed towards each other and forming a straight edge I! common to both branches, at an obtuse angle to the edge is and of the branch l4. Likewise, the edge IE will be lowermost in the branch II and will be directed to form theupper edge I! of the branch ll.

The oppositely directed apices 20 and 2| form a triangular section 22 in overlapping relation-.

b the pouch.

ship. The mitre overlap and the angular direction of the webbing to the edge I! are calculated to correspond to .the distance between the left and right groins approximately adjacent the crest of the pubis, .for "purposes which will ap' pear more'clearly as this description proceeds.

'-'ll'ie free'edges 23 and 24 are joined at the stitch line 25 and thencovered with a reinforcing tape26 by stitching the same over the seam formed Joining the edges 23 and 24 to each other. J

The section thus described forms a. belt element. I g

I then provide a pouch 21, preferably .made of elastic knitted fabric having one or more elastic cords knitted lengthwise or in a warp direction adjacent the selva'ge edges 28 and. A form fitting contour is given to the webbing of which the pouch is made by seaming together at 3| one edge ll of this fabric. The free edge 32 of the pouch webbing is then stitched to the edge I! of the belt element previously described by the stitch lines 33 in overlapping relationship. Over this free edge a protective tape is sewn to cover the same and provide a facing.

The webbing of which the pouch 21 is formed is likewise calculated to be of a width so that in its quiescent condition it substantially corresponds to the distance between the leftand right groins approximately adjacent the crest of the pubis. 1

I then provide leg straps 34 and 35, which are preferably formed of elastic webbing. Elasticity may be derived from rubber threads woven in the warp direction of the webbing or by utilizing knitted material or a knitted material in'which elastic threads are employed. The lower terminal edges 35 of the leg straps 34 and 35 are affixed to the edge 3| of the pouch, the upper edges of which 31-31 are amxed by stitching 38-38. to the edges l6 and I8, respectively, of the belt element ll in close adjacency to the opposite ends of the edge I5, defining the side edges of With a garment as thus provided, it will be observed that the pouchportion first may be made of a length of material which is shorter than that heretofore deemed necessary since support for'the pouch is directed along the groin. The overlapping apices defining the triangular section 22 act as 'a brace, holding the sack from "breaking and therefore assure a form fitting contour by spreading the sack adjacent the crest of the pubis from the left groin to the right groin.

The downwardly directed segments I3 and [4 adjacent the bottom edges 16 and I8 are supported substantially in the groin, holding the belt supported upon the hip bones and thereby relieving the tension on the more sensitive abdominal portions of the body between the crests of the ilium, in the abdominal cavity. The angularly directed sections above the crest of the pubis, immediately above the triangular section 22, are left unconfined by the belt portion so that violent exercise will not tend to displace the support for the pouch or increase the tension, with consequent discomfort to the wearer.

By angularly directing the branches l3 and I4 towards each other andv aflixing the same in overlapping position to the upper end of the pouch, the abdominal pressure substantially above the crest of the pubis is avoided and the displacing tendency of the pouch is overcome.

over the longitudinal axis of the pouch, a cross pull is eilected. tending to cup the pouch into form-fitting position about the organs and the pubis.

In'Figures 4 and I have shown another .embodiment of my invention wherein the belt" element Ila has its terminal edges 40 and 4i formed with mitred edges 42 and 43, respectively, to provide asuspending edge [5a for the sack 21. Here the apices 44 and 45 overlap to form the triangular reinforcing section 46. Like parts are similarly numbered as in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.

In this embodiment, substantially all of the benefits of the embodiment illustratedin Figures '1' to 3 are achieved to a degree, with no seam their terminal edges formed angularly at 52 and 53, with the apices overlapping to define the triangular section 54. The overlapping angular terminals 52 and 53 define a substantial straight edge 55, to which the upper edge 32 of the pouch By attaching the belt webbing at an angle, to

21 is aifixed by stitching or the like.

In this embodiment, the suspension heretofore emphasized is secured. However, great economy in elastic webbing is efiected. While the webbing 41 is made of inelastic material, the angular direction of the terminal portions 48 and 49, as

secured by the sections 50 and 5|, serves to suspend the sack from the hips and the crest of the ilium, without discomfort and without substantial loss of support for the pouch. The angular direction at which the terminal portions of the webbing is cut so that one side of the webbing will correspond substantially to one half of the width of the pouch to which it is attached will serve to secure a gentle uplift of the pouch and an adequate anchorage of the garment over the hips and the crest of the ilium.

This type of construction, as well as my prior described embodiments, make it unnecessary to use elastic at the top edge of the pouch since the form-fitting quality adjacent this portion of the body between the groins is secured.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 'l, I have shown a belt portion lie formed of inelastic webbing 13a, formed at the front with mitre edges for each branch, in accordance with the form shown in Figure 4, the opposite edges of each branch leaving rectangular terminal edges 56 and 51 at the rear, to which an elastic section 58 may be aiiixed by stitching along the seam lines 59 and Gil, to opposite ends thereof.

In this view, like numerals are applied to parts corresponding to those in the prior embodiments and, therefore, further reference will not be made to the manner in which the lower edge of the pouch 21 is aiiixed by the leg straps to the belt portion. 1

In this construction the pouch 21 has its upper edge 32 stitched to the edge l5a formed by the mitre fold, as in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2. It will be understood, however, that the left and right branches forming the belt element He may be two separate sections of the webbing, to provide overlapping apices defining a triangular section 2221.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, I have shown a combination jock strap and sus-- pensory wherein the pouch 21a is provided with the usual opening I.

In all other respects, this construction may embody the suspension for the much by forming the belt portion thereof in accordance with any one of the forms previously described. whether a mitre fold is used for the entire belt, as illustrated in Figure 3, the overlapping apices as shown in Figure 4, or the combination of inelastic webbing and elastic webbing, as shown and described in connection with Figures 6 and '1.

In Figures 9 and 10 I have illustrated an athletic supporter in accordance with my invention, where used to hold a protective cup. In this construction, the pouch portion 21b is formed from double-layered material 62 and 63 defining a pocket ll, into which may be disposed a protective cup 85 through the opening 88. The

fabric of which the sections 62 and 88 are formed is preferably inelastic material, such as canton flannel.

The general construction of pocket and cup is preferably of the type shown in my Patent No. 2,286,062, granted December 16, 1941. The inner layer 2 has its terminal edge 61 aflixed to the lower edge lia of the belt Ila which, in all respects, may follow the construction referred to in connection with the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4. The straps 34 and I! may be affixed to the pouch and belt, as in the prior embodimerits.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the suspension for the pouch, as eflected by the belt construction which I have devised, serves to center the pouch and hold the protective cup in centered position between the groins by the tension which is applied to the left and right edges of the pouch, drawing these edges into the groin and about the protective cup located in the pocket of the pouch, in accordance with this embodiment.

It will be observed that in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, and which may be applied in whole or in part to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 7, 8 and 9, wherein the webbing of the waistband or belt is formed with a suspending edge for the sack defined by the mitred edges of the waistband or belt elements at this point, that the degree of overlap of the apices l5 and 46 formed adjacent the suspending edge for the sack determines the degree of reinforcement. While contiguous arrangement of the apices will belt elements from a predetermined angular position is avoided and the desired position maintained by the webbing, mitred e'dges serving as a suspension for the upper edge of the pouch or sack in that the edges of the webbing and the upper edge of the pouch or sack cooperate with each other and the leg straps to direct the stresses in a direction to balance the forces holding the device in position. The supporter is therefore held in position against ready displacement in a simple manner, involving the minimum amount of labor and effecting economy of materials in the assembly.

In general. it will be observed that I have provided an athletic supporter which is easily manufactured and effects considerable economies in material, which has highly desirable attributes in,

the comfort it provides for its intended purpose.

holding the organsenveloped, with the proper distribution of elasticity between the related immovable parts of the body and the crests of the ilium, whereby violent exercising may be practiced while wearing the garment, with a minimum tendency for displacement and consequent discomfort and annoyance.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. An athletic supporter comprising a waistband or belt element of relatively wide webbing,

' the frontal portion whereof is defined by anguprovide a suspending edge for the sack, the overlap is increased as reinforcement may be found necessary, and where the diagonal pull to secure a form-fitting effect is to be increased, the maximum limits being secured where a mitre fold is made in accordanc with the embodiment illustrated and described in connection with Figure 3, wherein a continuous length of webbing is provided at least adjacent the upper edge of the sack.

It will further be observed that where the scrotum sack is made of elastic fabric, described as preferred in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, with the elasticity in a vertical direction, the angular distension in the direction,

larly directed branches formed of webbing material, said angularly directed branches defining a continuous edge common to both branches along an obliquely directed section transverse of the webbing, a sack or pouch, the upper edge of i which is mixed to said continuous edge of said branches and leg straps connecting the lower portion of said pouch to said waistband.

2. An athletic supporter comprising a waistband or belt of relatively wide webbing having a .thereof in an angular direction, and a sack or pouch fastened adjacent said fold.

4. In an athletic supporter comprising a waistband or belt of webbing and a sack or pouch fastened at an edge thereof in which said waistband or belt comprises a mitre fold angularly to direct branches adjacent said fold along lines substantially'parallel to the groin.

I 5. In an athletic supporter comprising a waistband or belt of elastic webbing and a sack or pouch of elastic materials, of means to suspend said pouch'comprising a mitre fold providing an edge transverse to the groin, to which the upper edge of said sack or pouch is affixed.

6. In an athletic supporter comprising a waistband and a sack or pouch supported therefrom, the combination whereof having th waistband of relatively wide webbing formed adjacent the frontal portion thereof with angularly directed apices defining an edge co-terminous with the width of the upper edge of the pouch and to which said pouch is affixed.

7. An athletic supporter in accordance with formed of elastic fabric.

claim 6 wherein a portion 01' said webbing is 8. An athletic supporter in accordance with claim 6 in which a portion of the webbing o! the waistband adjacent the pouch is formed of elastic fabric.-

9. An athletic supporter comprising a waistband or belt element of relatively wide webbing, formed adiacent the front thereof into angularly directed branches, each of said branches having singularly-directed edges, the apices of which overlap, defining an edge transverse to the groin and a pouch, the upper portion of which is atfixed to the edge of said waistband aforementioned. I

10. An athletic supporter comprising a. waistband,th frontal portion whereof is formed into downwardly and anguiarly directed branches following generally the lines or the groin, said branches terminating into mitred sections, the

apices of which overlap and provide anedge transverse to the groin to which the pouch portion is amxed, the overlapping apices reinforcing the upper edge of said pouch and being coterminous with said edge.

11. The combination in accordance with claim 10 wherein said webbing sert.

12. An athletic supporter comprising a waistband or belt element of relatively wide webbing, the frontal portion thereof being downwardly directed providing spaced branches terminating in mitred edges, the apices or which overlap and define an edge substantially transverse to the' groin and a pouch. the upper portion of which is aliixed to said edge, the lower portion of which pouch having connected thereto leg straps aflixed to the lower edge of said waistband in close'ad- Jacency to either side of said pouch.

FRANCIS H. MONTMARQUET.

includesan elastic in- Disclaimer 2,301,066.Framis H. Monfmarquet, Little Falls, N. J. A'rmm'no SUPPORTER. Patent dated Nov. 3, 1942. Disclaimer filed June 17, 1950, by the inventor Hereb enters this disclaimer Lo claims 1, 8, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 of said patent.

[ flic'ial Gazette July 25, I950] 

